Violent transit attacks in Atlanta, New York and Charlotte fuel calls for tougher tracking of repeat offenders

Violent transit attacks in three major U.S.cities have renewed commuter fears and sparked outrage over how the justice system tracks repeat offenders.The cases include a shooting on Atlanta’s MARTA system, stabbings at New York City’s Penn Station and a stabbing on Charlotte’s Lynx Blue Line.Here are three recent public-transit attacks involving accused repeat offenders that have fueled calls for tougher action to protect residents.Anthony Tyrone Gresham, 42, a felon with multiple convictions, is accused of opening fire at MARTA’s Midtown station in Atlanta, wounding a 17-year-old before fleeing on Friday, June 5.Anthony Tyrone Gresham, 42, of Lithia Springs, was charged by criminal complaint on June 8 with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Federal prosecutors allege Gresham opened fire on a MARTA train at the Midtown Station on June 5, wounding a teenager before fleeing the scene.(Douglas County Sheriff's Office)ATLANTA TRAIN PASSENGER STABBED ABOUT 20 TIMES AFTER MANIAC ALLEGEDLY SLIT HER THROAT IN RANDOM ATTACKAuthorities say that Gresham allegedly walked up to the train car where the teen sat, pulled a handgun out of his bag and fired three times toward the victim.The teenager was struck in his left hand and leg and medics took the teen to a nearby hospital.Gresham, authorities said, ran from the station before law enforcement could apprehend him.

The escape sparked a multi-agency manhunt that ended two days later when officers captured him in Douglasville.BLUE CITY BUS ATTACK HEIGHTENS COMMUTERS' FEARS AFTER CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBINGFederal authorities charged Gresham with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system.He also faces federal charges for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and disch...